Seymour Pine, the New York City Police Deputy Inspector who carried out the infamous raid on the Stonewall Inn in 1969, which lead to the riots that sparked the gay rights movement, has died at the age of 91 in Whippany, NJ.

Inspector Pine later questioned his involvement in the raid, explaining in American Experience's upcoming film Stonewall Uprising, "You knew they broke the law, but what kind of law was that?" Stonewall Uprising chronicles the events at the Stonewall Inn and the beginning of the Gay Rights Movement in the United States, as well as giving testimony to the status of gay rights when homosexuality was still illegal in most states. You can read more about Seymour Pine’s life and legacy in his New York Times Obituary.

Sean Cleary is a blogger for Inside AMERICAN EXPERIENCE and a member of the Communications team, where he also assembles AMERICAN EXPERIENCE’s weekly newsletter.